I'm leading a Titus school outreach team. After leaving Mexico, driving to LA, flying to Costa Rica and busing to Panama we've finally made it to YWAM Chiriqui! It was nice to be able to settle in and get a good night sleep. Thus begins the Titus outreach.

Our first day consisted of orientation to our new location, prepping for teachings, exploring Boquete, teaching at the base Bible study and preparing more teachings for tomorrow. We hit the ground running. We're stoked for our next two months in Panama!

Today we began teaching the Bible Overview at a boys home where we taught the character and nature of God, creation, the fall of man, promise of restoration, and the call of Abraham. After teachings we played them in a game of basketball then finished up the evening with another interactive bible study with the kids from indigenous communities that stay at the YWAM base to continue their education. Outreach is fun, God is good and His word is going forth!

Thank you for praying with us!

{Top: Berkeley and the outreach team she is leading. Bottom: Outreach at the boys home.}

This year has been a year of adding finishing touches to our myriad of building projects from the past 8 years. Too often when we urgently need to get to the next project, we've rushed past the finishing touches our spaces need. So this year we've painted walls that have never seen a coat of paint before, trimmed windows, and added on a much needed storage shed. We've finished off our community areas better too, which makes things run smoother for our Friday Night Youth Group. Currently we're finishing a road for better access to our agricultural projects and we're expanding and improving housing for our pigs....Our top new investment though is in people: We recently welcomed in a new house-parent to our team, Grandma Gladys, who is caring for three new siblings, Katia, Dilmer, and Brianna. Giving a stable home to these kids is why we push through all the other projects. This is the heart of GiveHope2Kids.

Have you ever felt like God was asking you to do something for him that was outside your comfort zone; something that made you anxious inside and question, "Is that really you God?" I've come to find that happens often in the Christian life. There is a battle everyday between what God is saying, and what our human nature is saying. So it only makes sense that God's word tells us to pick up our cross DAILY (Luke 9:23). To put on the full armor of God and pray in the Spirit at ALL TIMES (Eph. 6:10-18). True Christianity isn't just "fluffy stuff," it's often very INTENSE. Spiritual warfare is real. But, however intense this walk with the Lord may be, God is always with us and has the final victory. In this truth we can be fully confident.

As we spend more time in God's presence, and in the Word, we begin to gain profound understanding about the fact that our life is not about us. God asks us as his followers to give up our own way so we can fully follow him. Does he do this simply to control us? No, he still gives us free will. He asks us to surrender because of his great love for us. He can see everything with far better vision than we can. He has the ability to know what is best for his children and wants us to walk in Faith and Trusting in his ways; his direction, timing, everything.

In Psalm 119, there are some verses I would like to highlight. The chapter emphasizes that in the midst of everything, we can delight in the ways of the Lord. I believe this is God's heart for us as his followers. It's normal to wonder in circumstances, "What is happening God? What do you see that I don't?" However in the end, we need to remember that God is, and will always be, on the throne. In him alone we can find refuge, strength, wisdom, rest, peace, mercy, victory, and so much more.

"I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws. I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands" (Psalm 119, vs.59-60). "I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure" (vs. 162). "How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life" (vs. 103-104).

Are we hungry for him daily? Are we obeying him without delay? Do we delight in his ways? Christianity isn't about people being perfect. It's about imperfect people continuously seeking and obeying the God who IS perfection. In following Christ, we acknowledge that God has a greater plan than we do, and it's His grace through us that qualifies us for anything.

In the community of Gurabo, the school Felicia Hernandez allows us to mentor at-risk kids who are a challenge for their teachers. We meet with around 30 boys consistently (number doubled since January). The school has grades K-8 with 590 students and 33 teachers. What a blessing it is to enter a public school as a married couple, and get to counsel young boys in what it means to grow into a man with Biblical values. Not all are open to Christianity, obviously, however for us to be used by God when youth ask us about life, and God is pretty exciting! The school system in the DR is drastically different than in the U.S.A. The structure lacks organiation, and most kids struggle with resorting to violence as a result of poor education in the school and home. In the past three months, the teachers have noticed the positive impact our mentoring groups have been on the kids and have voiced that their conduct in the classroom has improved! The boys are learning how to epress their negative feelings without physically acting out. We are so proud of them!